Current Title:  9 time National Champion
Series:  AMA/Dragbike US Drag racing series
Class:  Real Street
Class:  Pro Street
Motorcycle:  Kawasaki NINJA® ZX-14
Tuner:  Garron Miller
Builder: Coby Adams
Born:  September 9, 1966, Philadelphia, PA
Resides:  Hammonton, NJ                                        
Height/Weight:  5’11”, 160 lbs.

A national champion eight-times over, Kawasaki’s Rickey Gadson has taken the sport of motorcycle drag racing to
new heights.  He was the first full-time factory-sponsored rider and first African-American to compete on South
African soil. 
In 2009, Gadson has gone to 5 out of 6 finals in SS,winning 3 of them,while proving his ZX14 is the fastest stock wheelbase big bore bike on the planet.
At the world finals in Valdosta(2009) Rickey not only secured the championship,he put an exclamation point on the season when he won the closest AMA supersport drag race in history by .001(one thousandth)  
In 2007, Gadson and crew chief Coby Adams took their Kawasaki ZX14 to the finals 5 out of  8 races winning 3
times and capturing 2 runner ups. In the process they established themselves as the team to beat as they ran the
1st ever & second pass on a nitrous Kawasaki at the 2007 World finals in Gainesville Fla.
The world-renowned champion has seized 127 race wins, competing in classes from 600 SuperSport to Pro
Street to Funny Bike.  Just as impressive, Gadson holds two 1/8 mile national records in the Super Street class at
5.24 ET and 142.31 mph set at the US nationals in Indianapolis 2007.  The champ also has his own sportbike
race shop and give potential racer knowledge through Rickey Gadson Motorcycle Drag Racing School where he
teaches enthusiasts of all levels to become better racers.

Gadson’s love for drag racing extends well beyond the track.  The champ made his movie debut in 2003 as a
stuntman for the hit film “Biker Boyz.”  He also provided on-set consultation for scenes in the movie and was invited
to walk the red carpet with the film’s stars at the Hollywood premiere.

In 2008, Rickey looks to capture his 9th championship title aboard Kawasaki's potent Turbo powered ZX14.
Gadson continues to represent the sports elite motorcycle drag racing to the masses  through various media
outlet including Speed Channel..  

  • The first motorcycle drag racer to make the cover of a main stream motorcycle publication                
  • Cycle World magazine(2005)     Motorcyclist (2008)    2 Wheel Tuner (2008)    2 Wheel Tuner (2009)
  • Winningest Professional motorcycle drag racer in AMA history.
  • Boasts eight national championship titles and 127 race wins.
  • Holds 1/8 mile national records in Super Street 5.26 elapse time.
  • Became the sport’s first full-time factory-sponsored rider in 1998 when he signed with the Kawasaki Drag
    Racing team.
  • Launched the Rickey Gadson Drag Racing School in 2007—a two-day intensive course in the classroom
    and on the track that gives riders the skills needed to succeed in the sport.
  • Rickey’s late father, Richard, was a stunt rider in the 1950s and 60s as well as a successful racer; his
    brother Skip is also an accomplished drag racer.
  • At nine years old, Rickey’s dad put him on his first Kawasaki street bike.
  • Started drag racing at age 13 by sneaking his mom’s motorcycle out of the garage while she was
    sleeping, wearing her protective leather suit emblazoned with a “Catwoman” moniker.